title: Cancer prevention by tea: Evidence from laboratory studies.
abstract: The cancer preventive activities of tea (Camellia sinensis Theaceae) have been studied extensively. Inhibition of tumorigenesis by green tea extracts and tea polyphenols has been demonstrated in different animal models, including those for cancers of the skin, lung, oral cavity, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, colon, bladder, liver, pancreas, prostate, and mammary glands. Many studies in cell lines have demonstrated the modulation of signal transduction and metabolic pathways by (-)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), the most abundant and active polyphenol in green tea. These molecular events can result in cellular changes, such as enhancement of apoptosis, suppression of cell proliferation, and inhibition of angiogenesis. Nevertheless, the molecular mechanisms of inhibition of carcinogenesis in animals and humans remain to be further investigated. Future research directions in this area are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemical Biology and Center for Cancer Prevention Research, Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, NJ 08854-8020, USA.
authors.forename: Chung S
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Hong
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Guang Xun
authors.initials: GX
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Zhihong
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Fei
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Guan
authors.forename: Huanyu
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Jin
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D016588:Anticarcinogenic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005419:Flavonoids / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000517:prevention & control; D009374:Neoplasms, Experimental / Q000517:prevention & control*; D010636:Phenols / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology; D059808:Polyphenols; D013662:Tea
chemical_list: D016588:Anticarcinogenic Agents; D005419:Flavonoids; D010636:Phenols; D010936:Plant Extracts; D059808:Polyphenols; D013662:Tea